Returning to my conversation with the cocaine addict, it concluded with his agreeing to try our new understanding by his posting of signs in his environs to remind him to speak with his mouth full and to have self-control in other areas of his day-to-day life. For instance:
• not to interrupt
• not to angrily yell (rather, remain calm and civilly express feelings)
• not to eat while walking or standing
• not to cut in line or grab food
• not to jump to conclusions
• not to leave a mess after usage of whatever items
• to have the patience to tidy and order one’s home/room/possessions
• to return borrowed items promptly
• and so forth
Note: someone, addict or not, who is trying to increase willpower by this method, may require the input of others to best determine what manners or character traits need strengthening.
~
As it happened, later that same day, I was to advise a woman who, also, had a cocaine problem. We were to meet at a coffee shop; and, ahead of time, I wondered if she had a similar lack of patience with her basic manners. … She did: she continually interrupted (which, from prior experience, I already …show more content…
and just doing one thing at a time ... *** IT WORKS!!!!***”
Also, he wrote that this method of increasing self-discipline via strengthening basic character traits helped him in other, non-drug-and-non-cigarette-related areas of his life where he had been struggling and where a greater amount of self-control and patience had been needed. This latter news was of special interest because it led me, also, to consider how greater patience naturally reduces stress; and, with lesser stress, drinking, smoking, and drug use should decrease since such behaviors, often, are triggered by stress.
• not to interrupt
• not to angrily yell (rather, remain calm and civilly express feelings)
• not to eat while walking or standing
• not to cut in line or grab food
• not to jump to conclusions
• not to leave a mess after usage of whatever items
• to have the patience to tidy and order one’s home/room/possessions
• to return borrowed items promptly
• and so forth
Note: someone, addict or not, who is trying to increase willpower by this method, may require the input of others to best determine what manners or character traits need strengthening.
~
As it happened, later that same day, I was to advise a woman who, also, had a cocaine problem. We were to meet at a coffee shop; and, ahead of time, I wondered if she had a similar lack of patience with her basic manners. … She did: she continually interrupted (which, from prior experience, I already …show more content…
and just doing one thing at a time ... *** IT WORKS!!!!***”
Also, he wrote that this method of increasing self-discipline via strengthening basic character traits helped him in other, non-drug-and-non-cigarette-related areas of his life where he had been struggling and where a greater amount of self-control and patience had been needed. This latter news was of special interest because it led me, also, to consider how greater patience naturally reduces stress; and, with lesser stress, drinking, smoking, and drug use should decrease since such behaviors, often, are triggered by stress.